Why is retail crime so high in Birmingham?

Retail crime in the UK is a force to be reckoned with, but if you don’t learn from your mistakes and adequately protect your property then you’re fighting a losing battle.

Worse, you’re fighting a battle that has no respect for the law, no consideration for the damages caused and NO desire to stop.

The real cost of retail crime isn’t a number, or a monetary figure. It’s a damaged reputation, constantly tarnished by a relentless barrage of vandalism, theft and no remorse whatsoever.

The latest stats are in and the good news is overall crime has fallen significantly but the dreaded pattern of retail crime is up and doesn’t show any sign of stopping as shoplifting continues to rise 6% year on year.

Worryingly, according to the Office for National Statistics, the last twelve months has seen a 20% increase in shoplifting in the West Midlands, a desperately concerning fact to swallow if you are a retail business in Birmingham.

Retail crime – are you the victim?

There are various ‘theories’ behind the reason people shoplift but a leading cause according to some is because it’s viewed as a victimless crime. Unfortunately, we know all too well this simply isn’t the case. There are victims and the truth of the matter is, the victim is you.

Shop at your local supermarket? You are a victim. Nip into town on your lunch break? You are a victim. Fill up the car at your nearest petrol station? You are a victim.

Yes retailers are the target, but the real knock on effect of reoccurring retail theft in Birmingham is you, the customer. You suffer the consequences when stores temporarily (or permanently) close, you suffer when prices have to be increased to claw back lost funds and you certainly suffer when you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time when a robbery is taking place, especially if its organised retail crime. This must be stopped.

How to stop retail crime in Birmingham

Listen up because this part is important. There is only one way to combat the continuous damage caused by shoplifting and that is to invest in a consistent and reliable team of retail security guards. Our static officers are available to carry out internal patrols and our mobile officers are trained to operate external visits to your site. When it comes to retail security in Birmingham the best possible coverage often comes from a clever combination of both static and mobile security services. This gives you the ultimate safeguarding package and a constant rotation of targeted security strategies.

So what are you waiting for? You know the risks are out there, you know the threats are real. Don’t wait to become a victim in order to put a stop to retail crime. The second you are targeted, you’ve forever tarnished your perfect record. Every day that you open your doors to customers without a security presence, is a day you are opening your doors to retail crime. It’s on the rise, it’s happening on your doorstop so please, do yourself a favour and call Churchill now.

We can and we will help make your retail space a safer place for everyone.

John is highly motivated and an asset to Churchill's team with over eight years of experience within the industry. As a director in the company John is responsible for managing the client relationship team, John ensures that every client is listened to in order for Churchill to provide the best, high quality, cost-effective service that meets their specific requirements.